Below blanks 'Birds as Z's cruise

Duane Below pitched seven scoreless innings, and the New Orleans Zephyrs capitalized on three Memphis errors to score six runs over the first two innings en route to a 7-0 blanking of the Redbirds in Thursday's series finale.

The Zephyrs turned in their fifth shutout of the season, and second against the Redbirds.

New Orleans exploded for a 4-0 lead in the opening frame on a two fielding errors and a pair of walks by Redbirds starter Mitchell Boggs, who tossed 39 pitches in the inning. Mat Downs crushed a two-run double with two outs to highlight the inning, the fifth time this year the Zephyrs batted around.

The Z's tacked on two more runs against Boggs in the next inning with a double, two singles, and sacrifice fly. Below helped his own cause in the sixth after being plunked to lead off the frame. He later scored on a Gorkys Hernandez double to right-center.

Below (3-2) was in control on the mound, allowing just three hits and a pair of walks with three strikeouts. He didn't allow a hit past the second inning and retired 15 of his final 16 batters.

James Leverton and Chris Hatcher kept Memphis off the board over the final two innings to complete the four-hit shutout.

Boggs (0-2) lasted only two innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on five hits and a pair of walks. He also struck out two in the loss.

Hernandez finished with his second consecutive three-hit effort, and the Zephyrs piled up five doubles to match a season high.

The Zephyrs travel to Nashville to begin a four-game series against the Sounds on Friday at 7:05 p.m.